SAT Improving Sentences Quiz I

1. Seeing may be believing but understanding are definitely knowing.

Seeing may be believing but understanding are definitely knowing.

Seeing could be believing and understanding could be knowing.

See to believe, understanding to know.

Seeing, may be believing is true but knowing is also.

Seeing may be believing but understanding is definitely knowing.

The issue with the first sentence is that understanding is singular, not plural. Choice E corrects the issue.

Explanation

The issue with the first sentence is that understanding is singular, not plural. Choice E corrects the issue.

2. Before you can go out, you must clean the room, mop the floor, and dusting the house.

Before you can go out, you must clean the room, mop the floor, and dusting the house.

Before you can go out, you must clean the room, mop the floor, and to dust the house.

Before you can go out, you must clean the room, mop the floor, and dusting.

Before you can go out, you must clean the room, mop the floor, and do dusting.

Before you can go out, you must clean the room, mop the floor, and dust the house.

Only choice E maintains the correct parallel structure.

Explanation

Only choice E maintains the correct parallel structure.

3. To do something you like is very important.

To do something you like is very important.

To do something you like are very important.

Doing something you like is very important.

Doing something you like were very important.

Sometimes, to do something you like is important.

The verbal form is not appropriate here and should be changed from the infinitive to a present progressive gerund

Explanation

The verbal form is not appropriate here and should be changed from the infinitive to a present progressive gerund

4. I can't barely wait for her to give me the surprise.

I can't barely wait for her to give me the surprise.

I cannot barely wait for her to give me the surprise.

I cannot wait for her to give me the surprise.

I shouldn't wait for her to give me the surprise.

Giving me the surprise, she knew I couldn't wait.

Choice C fixes the double negative in the sentence.

Explanation

Choice C fixes the double negative in the sentence.

5. Seeing that she is very tired, I walked out of the room and let her sleep.

Seeing that she is very tired, I walked out of the room and let her sleep.

Seeing that she are very tired, I walked out of the room and let her sleep.

Seeing that she was very tired, I walked out of the room and let her sleep.

Seeing that she is very tired, I walked out of her room and let her sleep.

I walked out of the room and let her sleep since she was obviously tired.

Only choice C corrects the verb tense error in the original sentence without changing the original meaning.

Explanation

Only choice C corrects the verb tense error in the original sentence without changing the original meaning.

6. He couldn't fathom that he was wrong for once.

He couldn't fathom that he was wrong for once.

He didn't fathom that he was wrong for once.

He could not fathom he was wrong once.

He did not know he was wrong.

For once, he was wrong about fathoming.

The original sentence is correct as written.

Explanation

The original sentence is correct as written.

7. Much people believe that T.S. Eliot was a racist but few would question the merit of his work.

Much people believe that T.S. Eliot was a racist but few would question the merit of his work.

Many people believe that T.S. Eliot was a racist but few would question all the merits of his work.

Most people believe that T.S. Eliot was a racist but few would question the merit of his work.

Many people believe that T.S. Eliot was a racist but few would question the merit of his work.

Much people believe that T.S. Eliot was a racist but few would question the merit of his working.

The correct answer is "Many people believe that T.S. Eliot was a racist but few would question the merit of his work." This answer accurately reflects the statement provided, which states that many people believe Eliot was a racist but still acknowledge the value of his work. The other options either use incorrect grammar ("Much people") or add unnecessary information ("all the merits of his work" and "of his working").

Explanation

The correct answer is "Many people believe that T.S. Eliot was a racist but few would question the merit of his work." This answer accurately reflects the statement provided, which states that many people believe Eliot was a racist but still acknowledge the value of his work. The other options either use incorrect grammar ("Much people") or add unnecessary information ("all the merits of his work" and "of his working").

8. Many people have a tough time understanding energy orbitals and quantam numbers and how they apply to the real world.

Many people have a tough time understanding energy orbitals and quantam numbers and how they apply to the real world.

Many people have a tough time understanding energy orbitals and quantam numbers and how those apply to the real world.

Many people have a tough time understanding energy orbitals and quantam numbers and how's apply to world.

Many people have a tough time understanding energy orbitals and quantam numbers and how to the world they apply.

To many people, a tough time is had understanding energy orbitals and quantam numbers in application to real world.

The original sentence is correct.

Explanation

The original sentence is correct.

9. In chemistry, a dative bond is one in which a whole electron pair is donated to the central atom, making it quite noteworthy.

In chemistry, a dative bond is one in which a whole electron pair is donated to the central atom, making it quite noteworthy.

In chemistry, a dative bond is one in which a whole electron pair is donated to the central atom, making the bond quite noteworthy.

In chemistry, a dative bond is one in which a whole electron pairs is donated to the central atom, making it quite noteworthy.

In chemistry, a dative bond is one in which a whole electron pair is donated to the central atom, making it quietly noteworthy.

In chemistry, a dative bond is one in which a whole electron pair are donated to the central atom, making it quite noteworthy.

The problem in the original sentence is pronoun-antecedent agreement, which is corrected by the second in choice B.

Explanation

The problem in the original sentence is pronoun-antecedent agreement, which is corrected by the second in choice B.

10. I wish you would cover your ideas with a respective authority on the subject.

I wish you would cover your ideas with a respective authority on the subject.

I wish you would cover those ideas with a respective authority on the subject.

I wish you would cover ideas with respective authorities on the subjects.

You should cover ideas with respected authorities on subjects.

I wish you would cover your ideas with a respected authority on the subject.

"Respective" pertains to ordering while "respected" pertains to the idea of respect

Explanation

"Respective" pertains to ordering while "respected" pertains to the idea of respect

11. Running towards the official, the official looked at me like I was some sort of madman.

Running towards the official, the official looked at me like I was some sort of madman.

The official looked at me running toward him like a madman.

Running toward me, the official looked at me like I was some sort of madman.

Running toward the official, the official looks at me like I am some sort of madman.

I was running toward the official and he was looking at me like I was being a madman.

The original sentence has the modifier "Running towards..." misplaced.

Choice B conveys the intended meaning the most clearly.

Explanation

The original sentence has the modifier "Running towards..." misplaced.

Choice B conveys the intended meaning the most clearly.

12. Can you please tone down your argument just a little bit?

Can you please tone down your argument just a little bit?

Can one please tone down your argument just a little bit?

Can you please tone down your argument just a bit?

Can you please at least tone down your argument for a while?

Are you able to tone it down?

The correct answer is "Can you please tone down your argument just a little bit?" because it is the only option that is grammatically correct and uses the appropriate language to ask someone to lower the intensity of their argument. The other options either have incorrect grammar or use inappropriate language.

Explanation

The correct answer is "Can you please tone down your argument just a little bit?" because it is the only option that is grammatically correct and uses the appropriate language to ask someone to lower the intensity of their argument. The other options either have incorrect grammar or use inappropriate language.